Tehran gives no special treatment to negotiations with US – First Vice President

TEHRAN, Apr 16: Iran has no special attitude with respect to talks with Washington and plans to interact with all countries, including the US, but with the exception of Israel, Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said.
The Omani capital of Muscat hosted the first round of indirect talks between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US special presidential envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff on Saturday.
Aref said as quoted by Iranian news agency Tasnim on Tuesday that Tehran “is open to negotiations and dialogue, but on appropriate and equal terms” and expects to interact with all countries that are interested in relations with Iran. At the same time, Tehran will not give special treatment to negotiations with the US.
Iran’s strategy is focused on internal affairs, Aref said, but Tehran will interact with “all countries in the world,” including the US, but excluding Israel.
The Israel Hayom daily reported on Tuesday, citing three international sources familiar with the conversation, that US special envoy Witkoff sat down with Araghchi, as well as Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi, for a direct dialogue during the initial phase of the Oman talks. The conversation was staged to appear “accidental,” but lasted over 40 minutes and was prearranged.
Araghchi reportedly invited the US envoy to Tehran. Witkoff did not dismiss the offer, Israel Hayom said.
On Monday, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said that Italy had agreed to host the second round of the US-Iran talks. This was confirmed by Araghchi. However, the Iranian Foreign Ministry later said that the second round would also take place in Muscat. Witkoff described the first round of talks as positive and constructive, while Araghchi said that the Saturday negotiations were held in a respectful, calm and constructive atmosphere. (UNI)

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